Obesity, which places strain on muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments

Violence, such as car or car-pedestrian accidents

Symptoms

Patella fracture may cause:

Sudden, excruciating pain in the kneecap

Swelling, bruising, and tenderness

Inability to extend the knee

Difficulty walking

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will look closely at the knee to see if there are signs of
fracture. A straight leg test may be done.

Images can evaluate your knee and surrounding structures. These may include:

Treatment

Treatment options include the following:

Nonsurgical Approach

After the tests, the doctor will determined whether surgery is needed. If the patella is not badly injured, the doctor will place the knee in a
cast. This cast may need to be worn for 6 weeks. After that, a knee brace and physical therapy will be needed. A cane or crutches may be needed.

Medication will be advised to reduce swelling and pain.

Surgery

If the patella is in pieces, then surgery will be needed. There are 2 kinds of surgery that are commonly used to treat this injury:

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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